Anzac Test

The Anzac Test is an annual rugby league football test match (known as the Bundaberg Rum Test from 2004–2008 and the VB Test in 2009 for sponsorship reasons). Inaugurated in 1997, the test is played annually between Australia and New Zealand on or around Anzac Day for the Bill Kelly Memorial Trophy.

Contents

1History

1.1Origins

1.2Naming controversy

1.3Trophy

1.4Demise and Reconception

2Overall tally

3Results

42014 May Test

4.1Squads

4.2Match Summary

5See also

6References

7External links

History

Origins

Australia and New Zealand had competed in Rugby League Tests since 1908. The Anzac Test, played on or around Anzac Day, was introduced by Super League (Australia) in 1997. When New Zealand was defeated 56–0 in 2000 the Australian Rugby League (ARL) was criticised for playing the match before the State of Origin series. The Test was then dropped from the annual schedule in favour of match in mid-July. In 2002 and 2003 Australia defeated Great Britain (64–10) and New Zealand (48–6) in July Test matches, so the Bundaberg Rum Test (as it became known for sponsorship reasons) was revived the following year.

Naming controversy

The Anzac Test was controversial for its use of the term Anzac (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) and its perceived comparison of professional sportsmen with soldiers. However Super League donated a large sum of money to the RSL, and Bruce Ruxton featured in commercials for the inaugural Anzac Test, proclaiming

"Mark my words, Australia is still in grave danger from one of our so-called neighbours. The Kiwis were once our allies and now they’re on the other side – at least for 80 minutes".

The word Anzac is protected in Australia by The Protection of Word "Anzac" Regulations (under the War Precautions Act Repeal Act 1920) and requires permission of the Minister for Veterans' Affairs for use in commercial events. This permission was given for the event from 1997–1999.

From 2004 until 2008 the match was officially called the Bundaberg Rum League Test, after the principal sponsor, Bundaberg Rum. For the 2009 fixture, the principal sponsor was Victoria Bitter and, as such, the match was officially called the VB Test. Despite the official name change, it is still common for the match to be called the Anzac Test.

Trophy

Two different trophies have been awarded for the winner of this Test. For the 1997–1999 Anzac Tests, the winner was awarded the Anzac Trophy, which depicted an Australian slouch hat and New Zealand lemon squeezer hat.

Since 2004, the winner of the Bundaberg Rum League Test has been awarded the Bill Kelly Memorial Trophy. This trophy was donated in 1996 by Gerald Ryan ONZM, a past president of the New Zealand Rugby League. It is named after Bill Kelly, a New Zealand rugby league player in the early 20th century.

The Bill Kelly Memorial Trophy was briefly stolen by three 25 year old New Zealand men after Australia's victory in the 2006 Test. It was found several hours later on the awning of a nearby building. The trophy currently resides at the Australian Rugby League headquarters in Sydney.

In 2011 the Bill Kelly Memorial Trophy was not played for in the ANZAC Test, but instead in a one-off post-season test match.

Demise and Reconception

In 2007, the New Zealand Rugby League announced that the ANZAC Test would not be contested after 2008, citing difficulties with selecting their best possible team for a match held at that time of year. According to the NZRL Director of Football, Graham Lowe, "We have an obligation to play Australia in Sydney on 9 May next year, because it is their centenary test, and we will fulfil it, but that will be the last one." Although the NZRL did not think that the Anzac Tests were still a viable option, they were "optimistic an international calendar will be adopted.".

After New Zealand's win in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup, the release of new RLIF world rankings, and the introduction of a new international schedule, the annual mid-season test between Australia and New Zealand was revived. The 2009 fixture was played on 8 May at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium.

The 2010 ANZAC Test, played on 7 May, was the first game of football at Melbourne's newly constructed AAMI Park.

The 2011 ANZAC Test was scheduled to be held at AMI Stadium in Christchurch on 6 May. However, the match had to be rescheduled at Skilled Park on Australia's Gold Coast due to the February 2011 Christchurch Earthquake.

The 2012 ANZAC Test was held at Eden Park, Auckland, on 20 April and was adjudicated by English Referee, Richard Silverwood.

The 2013 Test was held at the Canberra Stadium on 19 April. This marked the first time that the Australian team had played a test in Australia's capital city. The game was played in Canberra to celebrate the centenary of that city.

The 2014 ANZAC Test played at the Sydney Football Stadium on 2 May, saw test football return to Sydney for the first time since the 2010 Four Nations.

Overall tally

Team

Wins

Australia

14

New Zealand

1

Includes the Australia (Super League) victory in 1997.

Results

Australia have won all but one ANZAC Test.

Date

Result

Venue

Attendance

1 May 2015

TBC

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

TBC

2 May 2014

Australia def. New Zealand 30-18

Allianz Stadium, Sydney

25,429

19 April 2013

Australia def. New Zealand 32–12

Canberra Stadium, Canberra

25,628

20 April 2012

Australia def. New Zealand 20–12

Eden Park, Auckland

35,329

6 May 2011

Australia def. New Zealand 20–10

Robina Stadium, Gold Coast

26,301

7 May 2010

Australia def. New Zealand 12–8

Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne

29,442

8 May 2009

Australia def. New Zealand 38–10

Lang Park, Brisbane

37,152

9 May 2008

Australia def. New Zealand 28–12

Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney

34,571

20 April 2007

Australia def. New Zealand 30–6

Lang Park, Brisbane

35,241

5 May 2006

Australia def. New Zealand 50–12

Lang Park, Brisbane

44,191

22 April 2005

Australia def. New Zealand 32–16

Lang Park, Brisbane

40,317

23 April 2004

Australia def. New Zealand 37–10

Newcastle International Sports Centre, Newcastle

21,537

21 April 2000

Australia def. New Zealand 52–0

Stadium Australia, Sydney

26,023

23 April 1999

Australia def. New Zealand 20–14

Stadium Australia, Sydney

30,245

24 April 1998

New Zealand def. Australia 22–16

North Harbour Stadium, Auckland

25,000

25 April 1997

Australia (SL) def. New Zealand 34–22

Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney

23,829

2014 May Test

Squads

Australia

Position

New Zealand

Billy Slater

Fullback

Peta Hiku

Darius Boyd

Wing

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

Greg Inglis

Centre

Dean Whare

Josh Morris

Centre

Gerard Beale

Brett Morris

Wing

Jason Nightingale

Johnathan Thurston

Five-Eighth

Tohu Harris

Cooper Cronk

Halfback

Shaun Johnson

Matt Scott

Prop

Jesse Bromwich

Cameron Smith (c)

Hooker

Ben Henry

Nate Myles

Prop

Sam Moa

Greg Bird

2nd Row

Simon Mannering (c)

Boyd Cordner

2nd Row

Kevin Proctor

Paul Gallen

Lock

Adam Blair

Daly Cherry-Evans

Interchange

Isaac John

Matt Gillett

Interchange

Siliva Havili

James Tamou

Interchange

Martin Taupau

Corey Parker

Interchange

Greg Eastwood

Tim Sheens

Coach

Stephen Kearney

Brent Tate

18th Man

Kenneath Bromwich

- Sam Thaiday was originally selected to play but withdrew due to injury. He was replaced by Matt Gillett.